Report submitted to get anglers fishing again
A report entitled ‘When We Fish Again’ has been submitted to Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove and the Fisheries and Sports Ministers.
The report, compiled by the Angling Trust, sets out the means by which recreational fishing could be permitted and draws on experience in other European countries including Germany, Holland, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Norway. In these countries, angling has been allowed to continue under certain conditions during the pandemic. This has provided significant benefits to both wellbeing and the economy, without having a detrimental impact on their efforts to combat COVID-19.
In the report, the Trust recommends a phased or ‘traffic light’ approach to the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Phase one, calls for recreational angling on lakes, rivers and sea to be added to the list of permissible activities subject to these guidelines:
Angling to be undertaken on a solitary basis - social distancing in accordance with government guidelines must be maintained at all times.
Local fishing only – anglers must follow current government guidance on travel for the benefit of recreational activity.
All freshwater anglers must be in possession of the relevant EA Fishing licence
Sea angling from beach and shore to resume along with small scale private boat fishing.
No sharing of fishing tackle or any other items
No sharing of fishing positions (swims) except by members of the same household
No angler to fish within 15 metres of any other angler
No keepnets or competition fishing
Online and electronic day ticket payments to be made wherever possible
Onsite shared facilities such as cafes and clubhouses to remain closed
Fisheries unable to adhere to these guidelines should remain closed until further notice
Anyone displaying symptoms of COVID-19, or who shares a household with any individual displaying symptoms, should not go fishing and should continue to follow government advice on isolation.
The report has been backed by national angling and fisheries groups including the Canal & River Trust, Salmon & Trout Conservation, the Institute of Fisheries Management and representatives of the angling trade.
Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Angling Group, Sir Charles Walker MP said:
“I have spoken directly to the Minister for Tourism and Sport, Nigel Huddleston MP, to ask that angling, and other outdoor activities suited to social distancing, once again be given the green light. I explained to the Minister that the Angling Trust has produced a fantastic and detailed template as to how we can return, in a safe and responsible fashion, to the sport we love. The Trust’s plan provides a sensible and pragmatic way forward.”
Newly appointed CEO of the Angling Trust, Jamie Cook, was a key contributor to the report and is keen to get angling to the front of the queue, he said:
“We have demonstrated that angling in the UK could be permitted as a safe, healthy, beneficial outdoor activity.
“There is a large amount of evidence of the benefits angling has on both physical and mental health – it is prescribed by a number of NHS trusts as a proven therapy for mental wellbeing, and numerous military charities and organisations to combat PTSD.
“Fishing transcends social and physical boundaries, engages able-bodied and disabled participants alike, and with the majority of the population living within five miles of a waterway it can safely and practically be achieved without significant travel.”
For more information or to read the report in full, visit https://www.anglingtrust.net.
Watch the full video here: “When We Fish Again”
Drennan Cup winners immortalised in pencil by artistic specimen-hunter
DETERMINED to keep busy during the lockdown, Ash Bradley, a specimen enthusiast living in Worcestershire, reached for his pencil and paper and began recreating photographs of anglers with their prized catches.
Two-times Drennan Cup winner Dai Gribble was one of the first subjects, with Ash producing a stunning drawing of him with his record-shaking 20lb 10oz bream.
When Dai saw the high quality of work, he quickly snapped it up for his own collection.
“I’ve been drawing since I was a child, but the interest slowly waned as I grew up and other things took over my life,” Ash tells us.
“When I needed a way to keep my mind occupied while I was stuck indoors, I started dabbling with drawing anglers and their big fish. I showed a few friends my early efforts and they were really impressed. I decided to share my work elsewhere, and I was soon being commissioned by others, including Dave Owen, who asked me to sketch his 3lb-plus roach that recently won a Drennan Cup weekly award.”
Ash isn’t alone in combining his love of fishing and art, with Angling Direct offering kids the chance to download free pictures to colour in of fish in comical settings.
Examples of the entertaining images include a grinning perch preparing to chomp a terrified worm down and a greedy bream tucking into a pile of loosefeed.
The hope is that it will help inspire children to get out on the bank as soon as the current situation allows.
NHS staff will fish for free on country's best roach water
ANGLERS who work for the NHS have been given the chance to fish for free on one of the country’s best roach stretches.
Christchurch Angling Club recently confirmed they would be providing free club books to NHS staff currently fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. The membership covers fishing on the famous Winkton stretch of the Hampshire Avon, where numerous 3lb-plus redfins fell last season.
Club Publicity Officer, Andy Walker, told Angling Times:
“The complimentary books will have the same, full fishing rights of every other CAC member so will include Winkton, along with all our other stretches of the Avon, Stour & Frome plus all our stillwaters.
“We have all been deeply moved by the selfless professionalism and dedication displayed by the magnificent staff of the NHS throughout this crisis.
“We are delighted to extend this invitation and hope many of them find the time to enjoy some fantastic day’s fishing on our waters over the coming season. They have certainly earned it!”
The free permits will be administered on behalf of the club by Ringwood Tackle.
Fishing permitted with strict guidelines elsewhere in Europe
LIKE it or not, fishing has been outlawed in the UK, but we’re not alone in being housebound.
In France, for example, all anglers have been asked to stay in and across much of Europe the rules are the same.
In the Netherlands, however, fishing is still permitted, provided that anglers follow strict guidelines.
“Thankfully, we’re allowed to fish, but there are rules in place to keep anglers safe,”
says Tim Janssen, Dutch angler and manager of Korum Benelux.
“First, you have to fish on your own, so all matches are banned. We should also fish only in rural areas, which reduces the chances of seeing other anglers or pedestrians, and we must stay 1.5 metres apart at all times.”
These rules come from Sportvisserij Nederland, the official Dutch Sport Fishing Organisation, and will stand until April 28, when they will be reviewed and updated in line with the Covid-19 threat.
SN says that provided anglers are healthy, they should be able to go fishing to get a breath of fresh air.
It seems unlikely that we’ll be allowed out over the next few weeks, given Oliver Dowden’s (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) reinforced order to stay home and avoid non-essential travel.
But maybe, once we begin to win the battle against the Coronavirus and our restrictions relax, fishing in Britain could resemble what’s happening in Holland.
Angler beating Covid-19 urges others to stay at home
AN angler currently recovering from Covid-19 has shared his emotional story on social media and is urging others to stay at home to avoid the virus.
More Takes Bait boss and veteran carper, Jim Rawcliffe, posted the below on his Facebook page, shortly after coming out of hospital…
Jim was happy for us to share his story, to raise awareness in the angling community and help others.
There have been several reports of people breaking lockdown rules to go fishing this week, which is against government guidelines.
Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.
Jim has been making carp baits for the last 50 years!
Cancelled holiday leads to giant barbel - Luke Agacy
“I hung my rods up on the Tuesday before the closed season because I was supposed to be in Amsterdam for the weekend with my girlfriend. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, however, we had to cancel, so with it being the final day of the river season I grabbed the chance to go fishing for a few hours on a Thames tributary.
“When I got there, I cast a glugged fishmeal boilie hair-rigged to a size 8 wide gape hook on a running rig out into the flow and waited. My mate Matt then arrived and set up in the swim just upstream of me.
“After around an hour his reel screamed off and he landed a nice 12-pounder. We thought that was it, but a couple of hours before midnight my rod arched over and I was into a good fish.
“After a hard fight, this massive barbel just about went into the net. I could tell it was a good fish, but never expected the scales to settle at 17lb 1oz! A 17-pounder for me and a 12-pounder for Matt made it a special session that neither of us will forget.”
KORDA and GURU go blue to support NHS
CREATING a positive atmosphere online is going to be vital for people’s mental health during this virus pandemic and lockdown.
It is therefore brilliant to see companies big and small doing their bit to cheer anglers up, whilst they can’t get out fishing themselves.
One thing that has proved popular this week is tackle brands Korda and Guru’s changes to their logo. Both have decided to go blue in support of our NHS workers.
Whilst only a subtle change, it is a nice touch, and worthwhile recognition of the work of our frontline services.
A statement from Tackle Guru on social media says:
“POWER TO NHS 💥🚑💙 We’re sending our love and support to all the NHS hero’s fighting against COVID-19... True super hero’s that put their own lives at risk for us 👊🏼❤️ Stay safe everyone, stay at home and save lives 👏🏻”
Both Korda and Guru are putting out a host of video content on their Facebook pages, so be sure to go and check them out!
Support hub launched for angling businesses
THE Angling Trust has set up a support hub and hotline for all angling organisations following the Government ban on all non-essential movement.
Fishery owners, fish farmers, tackle shop owners and angling clubs can access the helpline, as well as information regarding financial support that could be available, by visiting the Angling Trust website.
Trust chief executive Jamie Cook, also revealed he has written to the Government in a bid for clarification on whether fishing could be classified as permitted exercise during the lockdown.
“It’s clear that the only permitted activities that have been specified are walking, running and cycling for the purpose of local daily exercise,” says Jamie. “Therefore until further notice we should all refrain from fishing. This is about saving lives and supporting the NHS.
“However, we have written to the Sports Minister highlighting the benefits to both physical health and mental wellbeing that angling provides and that we are ready and prepared to offer whatever support the Government or Sport England require now, or in the future, to get people back fishing as soon as is safely possible.”
Clubs, fisheries and other angling organisations seeking support should visit:
